1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Make the dough: process pecans in a food processor until finely ground (you should have about 1/2 cup); set aside. Put mascarpone and butter into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until well blended. Add flour, ground pecans, and salt; mix just until dough comes together. Alternatively, stie together ingredients with a wooden spoon in a large bowl.

2. Roll dough into eighteen 1-inch balls, press into bottoms and up sides of cups of mini-muffin tins.

3. Make the filling: whisk together egg, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, butter and salt in a small bowl. Stir in pecans. Spoon about 1 1/2 t filling into each muffin cup